2torial #0805:
Learn2 Avoid Telemarketers

Just say no

It never fails--you're about to sit down to a meal, step into the shower, or step out the door, and Ringgg! Suddenly a stranger is asking you to subscribe to a service you'd never need or buy a product you have absolutely no desire to own. Ahh, telemarketers. If those incredibly annoying sales calls are making you fantasize about ripping the phone cord out of the wall, read on for various ways to turn the tide.

This 2torial details a two-pronged campaign for curbing telemarketing calls in the U.S.: First, how to contact the businesses and agencies that use your personal information for telemarketing purposes and make them stop this practice. Second, how to deal with telemarketers one-on-one as they call you. Using both methods together is the most effective long-range solution.

Also, remember to keep a cool head when dealing with telemarketing problems. Sure, the phone call is annoying, but responding with rudeness doesn't solve anything. Whether speaking with a representative on the phone or writing a letter to a company, be civil and to the point. You'll get better results.